Is this a good helpmet?

"Brett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I want some safety gear for trail riding. Wal-Mart carries Bell and other helmets that have the
CPSC (I think that's it. Safety sticker) sticker on them. They range from about $8 to $20+.

They're no better or worse than any others.

Quoted message said:

Are these going to keep my head safe?

That's debatable. The best thing to keep your head safe is...your head. Ride safe, avoid the crash,
and you'll prevent far more injuries than a helmet.

Quoted message said:

I don't want to compromise. If safety is the same in all helmets, I'm unsure of a reason to
purchase an expensive helmet.

Graphics, bragging rights, company profits.

The more expensive helmets may have a somewhat better retention system. But even the cheaper lids
today have benefitted from the overall R&D. Today's $20 helmet is last years $100 helmet. They may
also have more/wider cooling vents. Which may or may not be a good thing. Less material between you
and whatever you've chosen to crash into.

Truly, they are all designed to pass the same CPSC standards. Very, very few are tested at the
slightly higher Snell standard.

If you feel the need, buy one that fits your head, and don't worry that you've gotten an
"unsafe" helmet.

Pete

"Brett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I want some safety gear for trail riding. Wal-Mart carries Bell and other helmets that have the
CPSC (I think that's it. Safety sticker) sticker on them. They range from about $8 to $20+. Are
these going to keep my head safe? I don't want to compromise. If safety is the same in all
helmets, I'm unsure of a reason to purchase an expensive helmet.

Also, they have a set of black XGames elbow and knee pads for about $17. Same type of
question here.

Thanks, Brett

Every helmet marked CPSC passes gummint standards, so it's been decided for you they are safe
enough. That being said, look realistically at how often you plan on going head first into things,
and plan accordingly. Lots of air vents? Not good for a newbie in a rock garden. Spend enough that
the lid fits well, or you'll not wear it.

I'd be leery of anything labeled X-games. Lots of their helmets and bikes were recalled, so
personally, I wouldn't take the chance. It's a -Mart house brand.

Go to a bike store and try on some $50 helmets. See if you notice a difference. If you like it, buy
it. It's your freaking head, after all.

It's been said many a times...if you have questions, take them to a real bike shop. -Marts only sell
bicycle-shaped-toys, and toys purporting to be bicycle gear.

Chris (here's hoping your ride didn't come from the same store as that new lid)

Brett said:

I want some safety gear for trail riding. Wal-Mart carries Bell and other helmets that have the
CPSC (I think that's it. Safety sticker) sticker on them. They range from about $8 to $20+. Are
these going to keep my head safe? I don't want to compromise. If safety is the same in all
helmets, I'm unsure of a reason to purchase an expensive helmet.

Reasons to spend more on a helmet: Many attain higher safety ratings. Improved fit. Improved
retention system (stops the helmet from sliding off your head in a crash) Improved ventilation.
Look better - therefore, more likelihood of you wearing it. You only get one head - $50 is a small
price to pay.

The one thing I must stress is get one that fits properly. Go to a proper bike shop and get fitted.

Quoted message said:

Also, they have a set of black XGames elbow and knee pads for about $17. Same type of
question here.

Are you fruit-booting or riding a bike? Short answer - no, they'll be useless. Unlike helmets, there
is no standard formula for pads, and these will be too small, provide [censored] protection, be poorly
vented and probably uncomfortable to boot. For proper biking pads you need to be spending a lot more
- the money will pay for proper coverage.

OTOH, what do you want to use them for? You should only be using pads if you're racing downhill or
jumping, otherwise, just ride within your limits.

--
a.m-b FAQ: t-online.deambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

"bomba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Brett said:

I want some safety gear for trail riding. Wal-Mart carries Bell and

other

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

helmets that have the CPSC (I think that's it. Safety sticker) sticker

on

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them. They range from about $8 to $20+. Are these going to keep my

head

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

safe? I don't want to compromise. If safety is the same in all

helmets,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm unsure of a reason to purchase an expensive helmet.

Reasons to spend more on a helmet: Many attain higher safety ratings. Improved fit. Improved
retention system (stops the helmet from sliding off your head in a crash) Improved ventilation.
Look better - therefore, more likelihood of you wearing it. You only get one head - $50 is a small
price to pay.

The one thing I must stress is get one that fits properly. Go to a proper bike shop and
get fitted.

Quoted message said:

Also, they have a set of black XGames elbow and knee pads for about $17. Same type of
question here.

Are you fruit-booting or riding a bike? Short answer - no, they'll be useless. Unlike helmets,
there is no standard formula for pads, and these will be too small, provide [censored] protection, be
poorly vented and probably uncomfortable to boot. For proper biking pads you need to be spending a
lot more - the money will pay for proper coverage.

OTOH, what do you want to use them for? You should only be using pads if you're racing downhill or
jumping, otherwise, just ride within your limits.

I have a Trek 800 Sport ST and don't know where it stands among other bikes. I bought it mainly to
ride around town, which I do. However, I've discussed a trail that does have downhills and jumps,
which I will eventually start riding (need gear first). My bike doesn't have shock absorbers or
anything special on it. BMX racing bikes don't have these either and seem to do fine. My bike will
have to do for now since I'm on a budget.

Brett

Brett said:

I want some safety gear for trail riding. Wal-Mart carries Bell and other helmets that have the
CPSC (I think that's it. Safety sticker) sticker on them. They range from about $8 to $20+. Are
these going to keep my head safe? I don't want to compromise. If safety is the same in all
helmets, I'm unsure of a reason to purchase an expensive helmet.

As long as you don't have a problem with heat, they'll keep you safe. Cheap helmets are typically
poorly vented, so they'll keey your coconut really toasty as well. There was a guy on here who had
problems with occasionally passing out from heat exhaustion when wearing his helmet, which didn't
sound real safe.

In any case, its best to avoid ramming your head into the ground (a consequense of riding out of
control). The helmet will help your head, but not your neck. Trust me on this.

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

"Brett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I want some safety gear for trail riding. Wal-Mart carries Bell and other helmets that have the
CPSC (I think that's it. Safety sticker) sticker on them. They range from about $8 to $20+. Are
these going to keep my head safe?

Hard to know until you crash. Even then, you'd have to repeat the crash with other helmets. I think
they're all basically the same. Been using one of the Walmart Bells for a couple of years. Looks as
good as any other helmet to me, retention system is good, plenty o' vents. Why pay more?

Brett said:

I have a Trek 800 Sport ST and don't know where it stands among other bikes. I bought it mainly to
ride around town, which I do. However, I've discussed a trail that does have downhills and jumps,

Most of my trails have downhills in them - they usually come after the uphills 🙂

Quoted message said:

which I will eventually start riding (need gear first).

What gear? A helmet is necessary, but you don't really need anything else. Oh, gloves.

My bike doesn't have shock absorbers or anything

Quoted message said:

special on it. BMX racing bikes don't have these either and seem to do fine. My bike will have to
do for now since I'm on a budget.

Pfft, you don't need suspension. If you want to do that hill, start slow and do small jumps.
Gradually build up and learn your limits.

"bomba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Brett said:

I have a Trek 800 Sport ST and don't know where it stands among other

bikes.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I bought it mainly to ride around town, which I do. However, I've

discussed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a trail that does have downhills and jumps,

Most of my trails have downhills in them - they usually come after the uphills 🙂

Quoted message said:

which I will eventually start riding (need gear first).

What gear? A helmet is necessary, but you don't really need anything else. Oh, gloves.

Ok. I always thought the elbow and knee pads where needed. Thanks.

Which type of gloves are you referring to specifically (fingerless, etc.)?

Brett

Brett said:

Ok. I always thought the elbow and knee pads where needed. Thanks.

For a few weeks, they may (or may not) come in handy. I bought a pair of small neopreme knee braces
and used them as elbow pads for a month or so. That saved me from losing a little skin. Then I
learned to stop falling so much. If I'd have taken it a little easier, that wouldn't have be needed.

Quoted message said:

Which type of gloves are you referring to specifically (fingerless, etc.)?

Well, bike gloves. Get them at the bike shop. They'll be padded at the palms. These will be the
piece of safety gear you use the most for awhile
- its natural instint to put your hands out when you fall. Whether you get full-fingered or not is a
matter of personal preference (see the other thread).

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

bomba said:

Brett said:

I have a Trek 800 Sport ST and don't know where it stands among other bikes. I bought it
mainly to ride around town, which I do. However, I've discussed a trail that does have
downhills and jumps,

Most of my trails have downhills in them - they usually come after the uphills 🙂

Quoted message said:

which I will eventually start riding (need gear first).

What gear? A helmet is necessary, but you don't really need anything else. Oh, gloves.

EYE PROTECTION!! Don't forget the freakin, eye protection.

Quoted message said:

My bike doesn't have shock absorbers or anything

Quoted message said:

special on it. BMX racing bikes don't have these either and seem to do fine. My bike will have to
do for now since I'm on a budget.

Pfft, you don't need suspension. If you want to do that hill, start slow and do small jumps.
Gradually build up and learn your limits.

what, he said!

Brett said:

Quoted message said:

What gear? A helmet is necessary, but you don't really need anything else. Oh, gloves.

Ok. I always thought the elbow and knee pads where needed. Thanks.

Which type of gloves are you referring to specifically (fingerless, etc.)?

There's a thread on this at the moment: "Full fingers or half fingers - what's in vogue?"
Personally, I prefer full finger, but the group seems pretty evenly split. Pays your money, takes
your choice...